Delhi AQI Slips Back into ‘Very Poor’ Category, AQI Hits 324

The national capital is enveloped in a thick layer of toxic smog, with air quality firmly entrenched in the ‘Very Poor’ category and no immediate relief forecast for the coming weekend.

December 5, 2025: The air quality in the national capital deteriorated sharply overnight, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 324 on Friday morning, firmly back in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This setback follows a brief respite earlier in the week when the city’s air quality had temporarily improved.

Visuals from areas like Anand Vihar showed a thick, toxic layer of smog blanketing the city as residents woke up to hazardous air, confirming the return of peak pollution levels.

City Hotspots Record Hazardous Air

Monitoring stations across Delhi recorded AQI readings well above the ‘poor’ mark, with several areas edging towards ‘severe’ levels (401-500).

The National Capital Region (NCR) also reported poor air quality, with Noida recording an AQI of 333, and Ghaziabad and Greater Noida registering 318 and 304, respectively—all classified as ‘very poor.’

Ongoing Crisis and Forecast

Delhi’s air quality has been highly volatile this week, showing sharp fluctuations from 279 (November 30) to 372 (December 2) before the current drop. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecasts that the city’s AQI is likely to remain in the “very poor” category over the next few days, offering no immediate relief. The cold wave alert issued for Friday by the IMD, which brings lower minimum temperatures, may further trap pollutants near the surface, exacerbating the condition.

Meanwhile, authorities are stepping up action against persistent polluters. The Centre has ordered 2,254 highly polluting industrial units across Delhi-NCR to install mandatory Online Continuous Emission Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) and Air Pollution Control Devices (APCD) by December 31, threatening closure for non-compliance. The Delhi government has also formed a high-level expert committee to treat air pollution as an “emergency mission” and strictly enforce penalties against civic agencies for failing to adhere to dust and road maintenance norms.